The 1926 Census household returns for Northern Ireland are not held by PRONI or NISRA and are understood to have been destroyed, possibly during World War II. National Archives of Ireland released the 1926 Census returns for the Republic of Ireland on 18 April 2026.
Overview
Held on 18 April 1926, the first Census of Northern Ireland provides a rare and valuable snapshot of life, communities and landscapes in the early 20th century.
Northern Ireland: A Century of Change in Statistics
To mark the centenary of the 1926 Census, a high‑level comparison has been produced between the 1926 Census and the 2021 Census (held on 21 March 2021). Northern Ireland: A Century of Change in Statistics offers insights into how Northern Ireland has evolved over the century.
Access the reports
Dive into the full collection of official reports from the 1926 Census of Northern Ireland. These documents offer a fascinating glimpse into the population, housing, and social conditions of the time.
All reports are available in PDF format, faithfully preserving the original layout and language used nearly a century ago.
Data tables from the 1926 Census general report are now available to download in excel format. Data tables from the County and County Borough reports will be available shortly.
Historical context
The 1926 Census was carried out just five years after the creation of Northern Ireland as a separate jurisdiction under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. This was a time of political uncertainty, economic hardship, and social restructuring:
- Post-partition realities: The census was the first to reflect the new boundaries of Northern Ireland and it provided essential data for the government at the time.
- Economic challenges: The early 1920s were marked by economic instability. The region faced high unemployment, especially in traditional industries like shipbuilding and linen manufacturing, which were struggling in the post-war economy.
- Demographic shifts: The census captured the effects of emigration, which had been a long-standing trend in Ireland. Many young people left in search of better opportunities abroad, particularly in the United States and Great Britain.
- Social conditions: Housing shortages, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare were widespread. The census helped identify these issues, laying the groundwork for future social policy and public health initiatives.
What the census measured
The 1926 Census collected data on:
- population size and distribution
- age, sex, and marital status
- occupation and employment
- religion
- housing conditions
Why it matters
These documents are a vital resource for:
- historians and researchers
- genealogists tracing family roots
- educators and students exploring local history
- anyone interested in the social fabric of 1920s Northern Ireland